Last Updated on March 4, 2024 by Asfa Rasheed
Have you ever wondered what different styles of business leadership are out there? And how do they play into being a good leader? You’re not alone. Being an effective leader requires balancing multiple styles at once, and it’s important to know which ones will be most effective in any given situation. This ultimate guide to all styles of business leaders will help you determine which style works best with your personality so that you can lead your company to success.
Table of Contents
The Consultative Leader
Typically, in business leadership, you want someone with a consultative leadership style. This type of leader values asking for input from his employees and can be considered more relational than directive. A great example is Kris Thorkelson. He has an incredibly consultative approach when it comes to managing his team. He regularly solicits feedback from his employees on how he’s doing and uses that data as an indicator of how he needs to manage others going forward.
The Delegating Leader
Regardless of your role in a business, you likely have some form of leadership responsibilities. If you’re not currently a manager, your role could include contributing to projects and helping others succeed. The delegating leader encourages others to succeed by fostering mutual trust, building relationships, and empowering others. As a delegating leader, it’s your job to get out of other people’s way—and that means knowing when they need help (even if they won’t ask for it). Be observant and insightful enough to notice when someone could use your assistance; then approach them with a solution before they realize what they need. Remember: delegation is ultimately about building trust in yourself and those around you.
The Agile Leader
Innovative start-ups and established companies alike look for agile leaders who can seamlessly adapt as needs change. Don’t fear change—embrace it by developing new competencies and nurturing an innovative mindset. Learning how to take advantage of opportunities may be vital in making that switch from employee to entrepreneur. As a leader, you don’t want your team members stuck on one project or task when they could be using their talent and know-how on something else that would benefit the company.
The Deliberate Leader
You seek consensus, ask questions, and get everyone involved. You’re deeply concerned with getting input from others before making a decision—you are patient, understanding, and always willing to lend an ear. The deliberate leader is generally well-liked by employees because they are usually empathetic, relaxed, and open-minded. Employees want to work for someone who values their input, so being a good listener goes a long way.
The Directing Leader
The directing leader has a vision for his team, and he’s not afraid to let everyone know about it. He motivates people with a can-do attitude and emphasizes that by working together, anything is possible. He actively gets involved in his team’s work; he doesn’t hover, but neither does he turn over responsibilities without knowing what’s going on. Directing leaders tend to run projects or teams and aren’t as concerned with long-term strategic planning as getting immediate results.
Conclusion
Many business leaders believe it is best to guide their teams like Kris Thorkelson’s leadership style. However, there are many leadership styles, each with benefits and disadvantages. By reading about these different styles, you can become more aware of which ones might be best suited for your business. In addition, you can learn how to mix and match styles to better communicate with employees at all levels. The ultimate guide on types of business leadership is here.
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